Crofters travel with confidence for cup decider
CONFIDENCE is high in the Burton camp as they travel to face Wirral in a Papa John’s Community Cup group decider tomorrow (3pm).
The teams have won both their Regional 1 Plate Pool 2 games so far and tomorrow’s winners will advance to the following week’s semi-finals.
Burton are on a roll after crushing Derby 41-10 before a superb 36-14 away win against Syston last weekend.
Wirral, who play in Regional 1 North-west, have been equally impressive, beating Syston 41-21 and then winning 40-26 away against Derby.
Both teams finished fourth in their respective league campaigns and tomorrow’s game is expected to be a close encounter.
“Our form since we finished the league campaign has been good,” said Crofters head coach Harry Titley.
“Our performances have gone up a few levels so we’re going into this game with a huge amount of confidence and we’re really excited about it.
“This is what the Papa John’s Cup is all about, travelling across the country and playing different teams, experiencing new clubhouses and meeting new people.
“All in all, it’s going to be a great occasion for the club and we’re really looking forward to it.
“We’re under no illusions that it will be a tough game. They beat Derby and Syston by a similar score to ours, so we know they can score points.
“They don’t concede many and they finished fourth in their respective league as well.
“We’re treating it like a quarterfinal. Although you’d expect it to be a high-scoring game, it doesn’t need to be.
“Winning 3-0 will be enough to take us through.”
Burton have been strong at Battlestead Croft all season but it’s Wirral who have home advantage tomorrow.
However, Titley says the Crofters are relishing the road trip.
“If it was a home game we would be super confident because our home form has been so good,” he added.
“But we said at the start of this campaign that we have created an environment where we all enjoy each other’s company and look forward to the away games.
“Wherever you send us, we would all buy into it and make a good day of it.
“Everybody is looking forward to it.
“We have the mentality of it’s us against the whole of the Wirral and we will go there and try and put on a show.”
Chaz Bunting is unavailable for tomorrow’s game so Connor Hutchison takes over at scrumhalf.
On the bench, youngsters Tom Lovering (second row) and Connor Bradley (back row) will be hoping to get their chance.
“Being allowed a larger bench in this competition gives more players an opportunity,” said Titley.
“Hopefully, the younger players will be able to go on and show what they can do.”